'My inspiration'

'My inspiration'

Jon Brown writes the words "THANKS JACK" in chalk on the ground outside of Jack Layton's constituency office on Broadview Avenue in Toronto on August 22, 2011. Layton passed away from cancer early Monday morning at the age of 61.Photo by
Matthew Sherwood

Here's what people were saying Monday, and before, about Jack Layton . . .

• "Jack has always been my inspiration and always he will be." — His wife and fellow MP Olivia Chow on election night, May 2, 2011.

On Monday:

• "I will always regret the jam session that never was." — Stephen Harper on his and Layton's shared love of music.

• "He leaves a powerful legacy of a commitment to social justice in his work in Toronto as a city councillor and as a national leader," — Interim Liberal leader Bob Rae.

• "Jack was a courageous man. It was his leadership that inspired me, and so many others, to run for office." — Interim leader Nycole Turmel.

• "His fundamental decency and his love of our country serve as examples to us all, and he will be greatly missed." — Gov. Gen. David Johnston.

• "Our country is losing a man of courage and great integrity." — former governor general Michaelle Jean.

• "I will never forget the image of Jack campaigning as the happy warrior." — American Ambassador to Canada David Jacobson.

• "He was a wonderful man, a great supporter of health care. He was an important colleague and we'll miss him a great deal." — Outgoing Canadian Medical Association president Dr. Jeff Turnbull.

• "He was an incomparable leader and human being and we shall miss him greatly." — Sid Ryan, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour.

• "He changed the face of politics, he made it more human. He was always approachable, wherever he went." — NDP MP Libby Davies.

• "With his passing, Inuit have lost a friend and advocate." — Mary Simon, president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

• "He will always be remembered as a spirited-leader, a strong debater, and a uniquely compassionate individual." — Peter Coleman, president of the National Citizens Coalition.

• He's a man you may trust. Never will he say something to you and do otherwise behind your back." — Former Liberal leader Stephane Dion.

• "What I remember best is his smile: cheerful, jaunty and buoyant. The smile was an inspiration, then and now." — Former Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff.

• "His passion for the causes in which he believed. That later made him a great parliamentarian." — Former prime minister Paul Martin.

• "Jack will always be remembered for his unfailing love of Canada and his dedication to this country and its citizens." — Green Party leader Elizabeth May.

• " I think history will remember his historic achievement of transforming the NDP from, really, a Prairie party, in many ways, into a genuine national party." — former prime minister Brian Mulroney.

• "It's a very big loss for the NDP and a very big loss for Canada, too." — former prime minister Jean Chretien.

• "The last conversation I had with him . . . was about his health when I phoned him. He was trying to reassure me, rather than being in any sense feeling sorry for himself." — Former NDP leader Ed Broadbent.

• "His contribution to Canada's political life and landscape will be greatly missed." — House of Commons Speaker Andrew Scheer.

• "He was a leader who fought for those Canadians who are sometimes forgotten." — Berry Vrbanovic, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

• "I know that Jack's fearless determination to advance a better day for everyone is a powerful and instructive legacy for all leaders and for Canadians." — Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

• "The Canadian Cancer Society will always be grateful for Jack Layton's passionate efforts to improve the health of Canadians and to raise awareness and funds for our organization to help us in our mission to eradicate cancer and assist those living with the disease." — Peter Goodhand, president of the Canadian Cancer Society.

• "Jack Layton had a broad and truly inclusive vision for the country, which he pursued wholeheartedly with enthusiasm and optimism that was infectious." — Ken Lewenza, president of the CAW union.

• "I admired Jack Layton as a remarkably intelligent and lively human being who made politics real for everyone. This is a tragic loss to us." — former governor general Adrienne Clarkson

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